Da Hula Wahine is back!!!
I have a new five-class session at Levity Fitness which started last week. Since the classes are two-hours long, I think we can cover at least two songs for the series.
We're starting the session with "Little Grass Shack". This is a popular Hapa-Haole song. We're using the two versions: -- the one that we use in our halau (slower) and the one that was recorded by Lisa Loeb in Lilo and Stitch.
For this song, we will be using the following basic steps:
- Kaholo: This is the most basic step. Step to the right, step together, step again, and together. Repeat to the left.
- Kahela: Foot stretches out to form a 45 degree angle from the body.
- Kalakaua: (also known as the Kawelu) - Cha-cha like steps. Usually done one facing left, and then to the right.
- Ka'o: The sway on steroids. Make a figure-8 with your hips, as if you're drilling your legs down the ground.
- Lele: Walking (and swaying at the same time)
Make sure you familiarize yourselves with the lyrics to memorize the choreography. The hand gestures match the words, since the hula dancers usually provide the illustrations to the chanters, and now the musicians.
Remember: there is no class next week for the 4th of July holiday. I will see you on the 7th.
A hui hoi.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Session 2, Class 3 - 24 January 2012
Great job this week, guys. We started making notes on "To You Sweetheart, Aloha": both hands and feet. This will be great practice for you especially when we learn more hulas, either here in class or in workshops. We finished the first verse this week. We'll continue with notes on the next verse next week.
I am feeling a bit under the weather this week, so I am spending a bit more time with my laptop and iPod listening to songs (Hawaiian and otherwise). I found a great free app in iTunes for Hawaiian words. If you have an iDevice, I recommend to download it. This will help when we start diving into Hawaiian songs.
A me ke aloha! See you next week.
I am feeling a bit under the weather this week, so I am spending a bit more time with my laptop and iPod listening to songs (Hawaiian and otherwise). I found a great free app in iTunes for Hawaiian words. If you have an iDevice, I recommend to download it. This will help when we start diving into Hawaiian songs.
A me ke aloha! See you next week.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Session Two, Class 2 - January 10, 2012
Great job this week! We learned the second verse of "To You Sweetheart, Aloha" and finished the song. There are some common movements between the first and second verse, so I am hoping that this verse was easier to learn.
To recap, new footwork that we need:
- Kaholo
- Ka'o
- Kahela (new for this verse): Right foot stretches out to form a 45 degree angle from the body. Repeat on left side.
We also learned new hand gestures:
- Dream: Put your hands together at the side of your head as if you are sleeping.
- Tonight: Start with your arms extended on one side. Move one of your arms in an arc over your head.
- Pray: Put your hands together in front of you as if you are praying.
Don't get frustrated if you don't get it the first time. My martial arts sensei once said "This is a 20-year technique." These hulas may take a session to learn, but you learn something new everytime you dance them.
For next week, we'll review the song, but we'll take time to write the steps. Bring a pen and some extra paper (a notebook is probably better). I will bring a print-out of the lyrics to help you with your notes (I forgot to hand them out next week).
A me ke aloha! A hui hoi! (With love! Until we meet again!)
To recap, new footwork that we need:
- Kaholo
- Ka'o
- Kahela (new for this verse): Right foot stretches out to form a 45 degree angle from the body. Repeat on left side.
We also learned new hand gestures:
- Dream: Put your hands together at the side of your head as if you are sleeping.
- Tonight: Start with your arms extended on one side. Move one of your arms in an arc over your head.
- Pray: Put your hands together in front of you as if you are praying.
Don't get frustrated if you don't get it the first time. My martial arts sensei once said "This is a 20-year technique." These hulas may take a session to learn, but you learn something new everytime you dance them.
For next week, we'll review the song, but we'll take time to write the steps. Bring a pen and some extra paper (a notebook is probably better). I will bring a print-out of the lyrics to help you with your notes (I forgot to hand them out next week).
A me ke aloha! A hui hoi! (With love! Until we meet again!)
Aloha to Session Two
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!
I am very excited to start the new year with a new song. We will be learning "To You Sweetheart, Aloha" this session. This is one of the most popular Hawaiian songs and will be a good addition any hula dancer's repertoire.
We started with the first verse this week, and learned some new hand-foot combinations. Just to review, for our footwork, we will only need these:
- Kaholo: This is the most basic step. Step to the right, step together, step again, and together. Repeat to the left.
- Kahela: Foot stretches out to form a 45 degree angle from the body.
- Ka'o: The sway on steriods. Make a figure-8 with your hips, as if you're drilling your legs down the ground.
New hand gestures:
- Sweetheart: Place your hands palm in over your heart (left side of your chest) and roll your right hand in front of the left
- Aloha: Make a slanted-T with your hands near your mouth. Extend the vertical part of the "T" to the side.
- Smile: Place your hands palm in near your smile. Flip your hands towards the audience.
- Tears: Start with your hands near your left eye in the same slanted-T position. With the vertical part of T, shake it down to about waist level.
We'll review the first verse this coming week. Keep practicing your basics!
I am very excited to start the new year with a new song. We will be learning "To You Sweetheart, Aloha" this session. This is one of the most popular Hawaiian songs and will be a good addition any hula dancer's repertoire.
We started with the first verse this week, and learned some new hand-foot combinations. Just to review, for our footwork, we will only need these:
- Kaholo: This is the most basic step. Step to the right, step together, step again, and together. Repeat to the left.
- Kahela: Foot stretches out to form a 45 degree angle from the body.
- Ka'o: The sway on steriods. Make a figure-8 with your hips, as if you're drilling your legs down the ground.
New hand gestures:
- Sweetheart: Place your hands palm in over your heart (left side of your chest) and roll your right hand in front of the left
- Aloha: Make a slanted-T with your hands near your mouth. Extend the vertical part of the "T" to the side.
- Smile: Place your hands palm in near your smile. Flip your hands towards the audience.
- Tears: Start with your hands near your left eye in the same slanted-T position. With the vertical part of T, shake it down to about waist level.
We'll review the first verse this coming week. Keep practicing your basics!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Session 1, Class 6 - December 20, 2011
Mahalo for supporting my hula class this session. We had a really great last class and reviewed the items that we learned this session. Godiva chocolates also helped. We also warmed up to Kawika, a hula kahiko that we will learn in the future.
Also, apologies for missing the 5th class post. It is the holidays after all and things to get really busy. Here's some notes from that class:
New footwork:
- `Uwehe (oo weh' heh) - step with one foot (usually the right first). When both feet are on the ground, both knees pushed forward and the heels are raised. Remember the hips are swaying when all this is happening. Repeat with left. It's actually easier to do than write. `Uwehe means to open, reveal or uncover.
-Ami in a circle - also known as an ami moku. You can do this by making a T with your feet when you start to pivot. As you do this, make the back curvy part of your ami. Complete the ami once you are facing the new direction. Moku means island.
Next session, I am planning to teach To You Sweetheart, Aloha, but I may change my mind. We'll keep reviewing Hanalei Moon, but a new hula will allow us to expand our hula repertoire.
A hui hoi!
Also, apologies for missing the 5th class post. It is the holidays after all and things to get really busy. Here's some notes from that class:
New footwork:
- `Uwehe (oo weh' heh) - step with one foot (usually the right first). When both feet are on the ground, both knees pushed forward and the heels are raised. Remember the hips are swaying when all this is happening. Repeat with left. It's actually easier to do than write. `Uwehe means to open, reveal or uncover.
-Ami in a circle - also known as an ami moku. You can do this by making a T with your feet when you start to pivot. As you do this, make the back curvy part of your ami. Complete the ami once you are facing the new direction. Moku means island.
Next session, I am planning to teach To You Sweetheart, Aloha, but I may change my mind. We'll keep reviewing Hanalei Moon, but a new hula will allow us to expand our hula repertoire.
A hui hoi!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Session 1, Class 4 - December 6, 2011
Sorry for the delay in my blog post this week -- but the holidays are upon us, and the chores are piling up.
Fortunately, there is nothing new to blog this week. With the new visiting students last week (Mahalo for the mai tais), we reviewed basics and the first two verses of Hanalei Moon. Please refer to our first class's blog for basic steps.
We'll continue refining Hanalei Moon until the end of the session. Remember, the goal for this session is to memorize Hanalei Moon, so practice, practice, practice...
I may have a surprise hula for tomorrow.
A hui hoi!
Fortunately, there is nothing new to blog this week. With the new visiting students last week (Mahalo for the mai tais), we reviewed basics and the first two verses of Hanalei Moon. Please refer to our first class's blog for basic steps.
We'll continue refining Hanalei Moon until the end of the session. Remember, the goal for this session is to memorize Hanalei Moon, so practice, practice, practice...
I may have a surprise hula for tomorrow.
A hui hoi!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Session 1, Class 3 - November 29, 2011
Aloha kakou!
Yey, we did it - We finished Hanalei Moon last night! We completed the second verse and the chorus. We'll continue to refine and memorize the rest of the session.
For those who need a refresher, I found an old You Tube video of Ka Hale Hula. This was from our 2009 Furry Con performance. That was a lot of fun. You'll find some familiar faces in this one.
Until next week! Practice, practice, practice!!!
Yey, we did it - We finished Hanalei Moon last night! We completed the second verse and the chorus. We'll continue to refine and memorize the rest of the session.
For those who need a refresher, I found an old You Tube video of Ka Hale Hula. This was from our 2009 Furry Con performance. That was a lot of fun. You'll find some familiar faces in this one.
Until next week! Practice, practice, practice!!!
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